Conor McGregor yet to enter USADA pool: How can UFC help The Notorious One make his much-anticipated return?
Conor McGregor can get a green light from USADA to fight even after not being in the testing pool.
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Dana White and Conor McGregor (Image Courtesy: The Sun Heavy.com)
UFC has recently made the official announcement that the promotion’s biggest star, Conor McGregor will make his much-awaited comeback this year. The former UFC double champion will go head to head against Michael Chandler as coach at The Ultimate Fighter. It is expected that both the fighters will finally fight each other at the end of the season.
However, this has raised a lot of questions regarding Conor McGregor‘s issue with the United States Anti-Doping agency. After his injury last in 2021, McGregor has been out of the USADA testing pool. On top of it, he has been accused of taking steroids as McGregor has packed in a lot of muscles during his recovery period. The USADA has confirmed that McGregor is currently not inside the testing pool however, there is no test required for coaching. However, the organization has mentioned that McGregor will have to give two negative test results if he wants to take part in a fight at the end of TUF.
This has promoted a lot of fans and followers who are accusing UFC of deliberately helping their superstar from getting banned for steroids. According to many, McGregor with the help of UFC is making the best out of the USADA testing loophole which has already happened several times in the past.
Brock Lesnar, TJ Dillashaw, and many other fighters got special treatment from UFC and exploited the USADA testing loophole
The USADA and UFC have been in collaboration for several years now and together have made MMA a PED-free sport. Throughout its history with the promotion, USADA has tested various fighters and has caught many big names in the process.
Whenever any fighter gets signed with the UFC, he or she automatically gets registered with the USADA testing pool and the organization has the power to take the testing samples whenever and wherever they want. However, there is a certain loop in their operation that has helped a few fighters in the past to escape the consequences of not being in the testing pool. Whenever a fighter retires from UFC the USADA doesn’t have the power to test them anymore. During this period, fighters can do and take anything they want without anyone’s involvement. In case they choose to come back to fight, they will have to give a written notice four prior to their return. However, the UFC has the power to grant an exemption to the six-month testing period of the fighter.
Similar cases have happened with Brock Lesnar and TJ Dillashaw in the past which led fans to suspect UFC to help the fighters to escape serious repercussions. In 2015, Lesner came out of retirement to fight Mark Hunt and UFC used their exemption clause in that case. Nevertheless, Lesner still got tested positive for clomiphene after the fight, and the original decision was overturned. When Dillashaw was caught taking steroids the fighter announced immediate retirement which further pushed the theory of fighters benefiting from the USADA loophole.
It won’t be surprising if the UFC makes the exceptional case with Conor McGregor given that the Irishman is one of the biggest draws and has the ability to sell huge Pay-per-view events.
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)